Animal-yoke.



NO. 744,349. PATENTBD Nov. 1 7, 1903.

J.' J. lNGRAM. ANIMAL YOKE. APPLIOATION FILED DB0. 1v, 11902.

UNITED STATEs Patented November 17, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES J. I'NGRAM, OF BRACKEN COUNTY, KENTUCKY, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF TO STEPHEN D. RIGDON, OF GERMANTOWN, KENTUCKY.

ANIMAL-YOKE.

SPECFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 744,349, dated November 17, 19GB.

Applicationriiled December l. 19.02. Serial No. 133.388. (No model.)

jo @ZZ whom it may concern' Be it known that I, JAMEsJ.. INGEAM, a citizen ofthe United States,residing in the county of Bracken, near Tangletown P. O., State of c, Kentucky, have invented a new and useful Animal-Yoke,of which the followin gisa specification.

This inventionrelates to animal-yokes, and has for its object to provide a simple and improved device of this character which may be conveniently applied and removed and when in place is effectually held against displacement by movements of the animals head.

With these and other objects in view the present invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accompanying drawings,and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being unzo derstood that changes in the form,proportion,

v size, and minor details may be made Within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of an animal-yoke embodying the features of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof.

Like characters of reference designate corresponding parts in both the figures of the drawings.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, l designates the yoke proper, which is of inverted substantially U shape and is preferably formed from a strip of wood, which is bent at its middle and is thereby elastic. At corresponding intermediate points of the respective sides of the yoke are rearwardly-projected arms 2 and 3, of which the upper side of the arm 3 rises above that of the other arm and is provided at its outer end 'with a notch 4 to form an upstanding shoulder. Upon the top of the arm 2 and at its outer or rear end is pivoted a cross-bar 5,the pivotal connection 6 being located intermediate of the ends of the bar. When the device is in position upon an animals head the cross-bar is seated in the notch 4, and thereby lies transversely across the yoke in rear thereof.

To fasten the cross-bar against movement when in use, it is provided with a pendent U shaped clip 7, which embraces the rear end of the arm 3 and projects a suitable distance below the same for the reception of the free end of a spring-catch 8,- which has its forward end secured to the under side .of the arm 3, with its rear end provided with a beveled head 9,` which depends from the spring-shank and forms a shoulder to engage the outer side of the clip, and thereby prevent pivotal movement of the cross-bar in one direction, while the shoulder formed by the notch 4 prevents pivotal movement in the opposite direction.

Suitable prods or prongs 10 are applied to the rear edge of the cross-bar and also to the opposite extremities thereof.

In applying the present device the latch or catch is disengaged from the clip or keeper 7 and the cross-bar swung upon its pivot 6, 'so as to disen gage the sides of the yoke and permit of the same being placed astraddle of an animals neck, after which the cross -bar is swung upon its pivotal support, so as to engage the keeper with the arm 3 and the springlatch, whereby the opposite sides ofthe yoke will be connected and held against separation, with the cross-bar extending transversely across the chest of the animal in position for the prods to prick the animal.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the device of the present invention is very simple, durable, and inexpensive, is very readily applied and removed, and when in position cannot be accidentally displaced. Furthermore, the cross-bar is projected to a considerable extent at opposite sides of the yoke in order that said ends may come in contact with the animal should he attempt to dislodge the yoke by swinging his head from side to side.

That is claimed isl. A device of the class described comprising a yoke, a cross-bar offset from and located in rear 4of the yoke and extended beyond opposite sides thereof to form obstructions, and means for supporting the cross-bar in rear of the yoke, substantially as described.

2. A device of the character described comprising a yoke, a cross-bar located in rear of the yoke and offset from the same, said crossbar being pivoted at one side of the device and detachably secured at the opposite side,

IOO

and means for supporting the cross-bar in its offset position in rear of the yoke, substantially as described.

3. Adevice of the characterdescribed, comprising a yoke, arms projected rearwardly from opposite sides of the yoke, a cross-bar pivoted to one of the arms, and means to detachably connect the cross-bar to the other arm.

l. Adevice of the character described, comprising a yoke, arms projected rearwardly from the opposite sides of the yoke,a cross-bar pivoted to one of the arms, a loopshaped keeper carried by the bar and adapted to embrace the other arm, and a spring-catch carried by said other arm and disposed to engage the keeper and lock the bar.

5. Adeviee of the character described, comprising a yoke, corresponding arms projected rearwardly from opposite sides of the yoke, the upper side of one of the arms being terminally notched at its rear end, a cross -bar intermediately pivoted to the other arm and adapted to be normally seated in the notch transversely across the yoke, alooped keeper hung from the bar and adapted to embrace the notched end of the arm, and a spring-l free end provided with a beveled pendent .head to engage the keeper.

6. A device of the character described comprisin g a yoke, corresponding arms projected rearwardly from opposite sides of the yoke, a cross-bar pivoted intermediate to one of the arms to swing in a substantiallyhorizontal plane With its opposite ends extended at opposite sides of the yoke, prods upon the rear side and at the opposite ends of the bai-,a looped keeper carried by the bar and adapted to embrace the other arm, and a springcatch carried by said arm and adapted toengage the keeper to lock the arm.

In testimony that I claim the foregoingr as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

JAMES J. INGRAM. lVitnesses:

S. D. RIGDoN, G. W. WoonwAnD. 

